Coordination With US Defense Attache, TNI Commander Ensures Weapon Findings In Lampung Have Been Completed

TNI Commander General Andika Perkasa shakes hands with the United States (US) Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley / ANTARA FOTO / Asprilla Dwi Adha / pras.

JAKARTA - The Commander of the Indonesian National Armed Forces, General Andika Perkasa, confirmed that the issue of finding weapons at Panjang Port, Lampung has been resolved.

"It's finished, after we confirmed it with the United States Defense Attaché Office," said General Andika, at TNI Headquarters, Jakarta, as reported by ANTARA, Sunday, July 24.

He explained that the weapons were part of the joint Garuda Shield exercise between the United States and Indonesia.

"It was a miscommunication, but not something that would be illegal," he said.

General Andika explained that the position of urgent security clearance is the authority of the TNI Commander.

That authority over personnel, materials in the form of weapons or goods from the military or aviation of foreign countries.

"The mechanism is from foreign military representatives in Indonesia, sending a diplomatic note to me, reporting as well as filling out the clearance approval form for the Indonesian Territory (CAIT)," he said again.

According to him, it is the duty of military representatives of foreign countries who will explain, after confirmation, whether this comes from military material equipment for training.

"If so, we will make the approval, even if it applies to unscheduled arrivals, because the mechanism already exists," he said.

Previously, Pelindo II Panjang Public Relations and Customer Service Supervisor, Lampung, Frans Rahardian, said that the weapons in the US Army's Tricon Container were not included in the ship's manifest.

"The container contains weapons, these items are not included in the ship's manifest such as passengers, luggage, equipment and others," he said.

According to him, if the weapons containers do not have a manifest, there are a number of possibilities, such as re-administration or repatriation to their country of origin.

"So I emphasize that the weapons only do not have a manifest. Currently, the items are being taken care of by the TNI AD. Regarding the results, how are we still waiting from the Korem (043 Garuda Hitam Lampung, ed)," he said.